MUSKEGON, MI – More than 120,000 people are expected to pack the streets of downtown Muskegon July 17-20 for Muskegon Bike Time.

The annual festival, which transforms Western Avenue into the bikers' paradise known as "Steel Horse Alley," will feature a new layout this year, with vendors being taken off the sidewalks on Western Avenue and placed on side streets from First to Seventh.

"We made the change to address some safety concerns and also to alleviate some of the traffic on Western Avenue," said Clyde Whitehouse, Bike Time board president and owner of Hot Rod Harley Davidson - the major sponsor and creator of the event.

Whitehouse added that his discussions with the city of Muskegon and with City Manager Frank Peterson have been very constructive and that he is confident that Bike Time will mesh well with the recently opened Muskegon Farmers Market, which will be operating during the festival.

"We've tried to invest time looking into all the possible issues," Whitehouse said. "Frank (Peterson) has been very instrumental in that. They've been very cooperative. All sides really just want to make sure the area is safe for everyone."

People from around the country converge on Muskegon for the annual biker festival, which has been named one of the top five community motorsport festivals in the nation, according to organizers.

This year's festival will include several concerts, including "Let There Be Rock" A Live Tribute to Early AC/DC, Lee Rocker from The Stray Cats and 38 Special. Concerts will be held at Hot Rod Harley Davidson and in the parking lot of the LC Walker Arena.

The popular Miss Bike Time, tattoo and Burn Out contests will also return, as well as a new competition, the Whisker Contest, which is sponsored by the Lumbertown Beard Barons.

The Michigan State Police will also be providing riding demonstrations on scene for the first time. Family friendly activities, including a climbing wall and a bull ride, will be located on the corner of Sixth Street and Western Avenue.

"We want as much entertainment as we can," Whitehouse said. "We have a ton of people in town and you have to keep them entertained for three days."

Admission to Bike Time is free as is entry into the beer tent. Tickets for Lee Rocker from The Stray Cats on July 18 are $10. Tickets for 38 Special's performance on July 19 are $15. Advanced tickets for both shows are on sale now at Hot Rod Harley Davidson, 149 Shoreline Dr.

Whitehouse is optimistic that Bike Time 2014 will be another successful festival.

"It's a family friendly, biker-friendly event that's almost entirely free," he said. "It's on the streets of Muskegon and there's a lot to do. It showcases our community, the Lakeshore and city itself."